This small town is also known as the “First stop of the East Wind”.It is located on the southeast tip of Massachusetts along the 75 mile Cape Cod peninsula. The town is one of the very few in the entire world that is around it on three sides by an oceanic body. In fact, few small towns can claim that you can watch the sunrise over the ocean and set over the ocean from the same town.

Since the ocean is such a big part of the geography of this town, there are many activities centered around water for the entire family to enjoy. On the side of the town’s the open Atlantic Ocean. To the north is the Pleasant Bay. The southern part of the city is bordered to the warmer Nantucket sound.

The English settled this town in the mid-1600s. Fishing has been a big part of this establishment since the town was first settled. In fact, if you visit the Fish pier just off of Shore Road, you will be able to observe modern-day fleets of fishermen bringing in their catch.

Not everything is fishing and water watching, however. In the downtown district there aren’t many tourist shops and sites to see. Walk down the streets of Chatham and you’ll see gleaming white homes of former see captains, beautiful yards of hydrangeas, and enough shops to keep you busy all day long.

Besides the shops and delicious eateries, Friday night band concerts in the park are definitely something to visit. Time your visit just right and you’ll hit one of their many festivals that take place in the town. Some of these include the Chatham Maritime Festival, the Spring fling, the Fourth of July parade, the Festival of the arts, Christmas by the sea, and even their first night celebrations.

If you’re an active family, one of the railway lines that extends through the town, has been partially converted to one of the many bike paths that crisscross the town.

Things to do and See

Chatham Lighthouse – Watch the sun come up over the ocean in the morning at this historic landmark. Catch a tour on most Wednesdays of the year.
Hardings Beach – Visit the waters of the quieter Nantucket Sound. Enjoy the evening sunset from this vantage point.
Chatham Fish Pier – See modern day fishing fleets come and go with their gear and their catch. This is located in Aunt Lydia’s Cove off of Shore Road.
Old Atwood House – located on the Stage Harbor Road – it was build in 1752 and restored with period furnishing. It currently searves as a museum.